Japanese Culture - Ikebana /Japanese Flower Arrangement
Head Master Designate of Misho-ryu Sasaoka, Ryuho Sasaoka will present an Ikebana performance. You will also have an opportunity to try your hand at arranging Ikebana. Your work will be displayed for the enjoyment of the Symposium participants.

 

Japanese Culture - Chado / The Way of Tea
Chado or The Way of Tea is a traditional etiquette for serving guests powdered green tea. It embodies harmony, respect, purity and tranquility. After the tea ceremony, powdered green tea will be served.


 

Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built in 1603 as the residence of the Tokugawa Shoguns who ruled in Tokyo. The corridors in the main building were designed to make the sound of a Japanese nightingale when walked on to warn of intruders. The gorgeous paintings on the sliding doors are by artists of the Kano school.

Heian Shrine
Heian Shrine was constructed in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of Kyoto as the capital. It is dedicated to Emperor Kammu (737-806), the founding emperor and Emperor Komei (1831-1866), the last emperor to reign in Kyoto.
    Heian or "peace and tranquility" was the ancient name of Kyoto.

Kinkakuji Temple
Kinkakuji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was originally the villa of court noble Saionji Kintsune. A century later Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (1358-1408) made great improvements to use as his retirement villa, laying out an extensive garden in which he built the beautiful Golden Pavilion. Its reflection can be seen on the Mirror Pond.
    The garden is designated as a special
national historic and scenic site.

Ryoanji Temple
Ryoanji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was previously the villa of noble families and became a Zen temple in the 15th century.
    The temple's rock garden is famous for the fifteen rocks arranged on raked sand, a masterly example of the beauty and harmony of the "karesansui" style of the dry landscape garden of Zen temples.

Nanzenji Temple, Main Gate
Nanzenji is the head temple of the Rinzai sect, Nanzenji School of Zen. Retired Emperor Kameyama converted his villa to the Zen temple in 1291.
    The huge main gate, Sanmon, constructed in 1628 commands a panoramic view of Kyoto from its top and is especially beautiful in autumn.

Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts
Beautiful examples of Kyoto's diversified, fine traditional arts and crafts are gathered and displayed here with detailed English explanation.
    A chance to absorb the knowledge of traditional arts and crafts.

Kyoto Imperial Palace
The Kyoto Imperial Palace was the residence of the Emperor until the capital was moved to Tokyo in 1868. The main Palace building, the Shishinden, was used for the Emperor's coronation ceremony and official court banquets.
    In autumn the maples in the garden complex turn a vivid red.
    It is not open to the public.

Sanjusangendo
Sanjusangen-do literally means "the hall of 33 bays" as there are 33 spaces between the pillars of the long building. There are 1001 carved wooden images of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. The main image in the center is a gigantic seated Kannon flanked by 1000 life-sized standing images to either side.

Shopping in the traditional district
Enjoy shopping in the traditional district along the slope to Kiyomizu Temple. There are endless souvenir shops with traditional ambience and many unique restaurants.